"Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord." Psalm 107:43

Friday, November 07, 2008

"What Does It Mean to Fall in Love With God?

A young teenage girl wrote to me recently and asked, "What exactly does it mean to fall in love with God? Do you get a tingly feeling like you would when you fall in love with a guy?" I was impressed with her question. While so many young girls her age are more interested in fashion and being a part of the "in" crowd, this young girl wanted a better understanding of her relationship with God. Following is what I answered her:

I suppose people react differently when they fall in love depending on their personalities. Some may cry, while others feel a deep, deep certainty that there will never be anyone as special as this person, yet others laugh and shout with joy. There are all sorts of emotions. However, falling in love must go hand-in-hand with commitment. You can love someone emotionally and then fall out of love with them emotionally on a trying day or week or year. Emotions come and go. However, commitment is forever. You choose to stay in love. You choose to be faithful. You choose to look for ways to keep falling in love with this person again and again. That is true love.

It is similar with God. There are times when I am so emotionally in love with God that I just weep. Other times I am so overwhelmed by His love for me that I weep or laugh for joy. Yet most of the time I just feel a deep contentment in knowing that He is with me. I feel secure in His love. However, I must also be committed to love Him. There are times in our lives where we are distracted by life and we begin to question even our faith. It is those times we must decide to stay committed and faithful no matter what we feel at the moment. Feelings can be wonderful. Emotions can be great. However, feelings and emotions are changeable. We must be committed and faithful to God no matter what we are feeling at the moment.

My wife and I are going through a separation and I haven't seen her in 4 months. The Memorial Day weekend is coming up and Id like to see her and my family. She said to me the only man in her life is God and she's so in love with him. She doesn't want to stay here because she thinks it's a bad idea and that we should concentrate working on ourselves.

John, I'm so sorry about the problems you and your wife are currently facing. My heart goes out to both of you. It is hard for me to comment on this when I do not know all the specifics for this current separation. I do know that if you're wife is truly so "in love" with God as she claims to be, then she will make every effort to reconcile with you. Quite frankly, I do not believe her reason for not wanting to be with you is because she is so much "in love" with God. There must be more underlying issues. God does not separate married couples. People who truly love God will grow closer to each other and not further apart. I think you need some Godly counsel in this situation. I would advise you to talk to your pastor. If your wife is not willing to go with you to this meeting, then go alone, but do get some Scripturally-based counsel. If you are not currently in a church, then I want to encourage you to find a good church with excellent and accurate Biblical teaching, and then see the pastor for counsel at your earliest convenience.

Sometimes I feel I am no longer in love with God. I want to be in love with Him. I become hollow with out His love. Please guide me, what should I do to feel His love. Sometimes I feel I am forcing myself to be in His love. I feel helpless.

Dear Anonymous, I would suggest you start why remembering a time when you were so "in love" with God. What changed? Did circumstances distract you from thinking about Him? Did you face a suffering of some sort that was difficult to deal with and you blamed him? It may not be anything that I just mentioned, but it might help you to think back and perhaps you will see what you are doing differently now than you did back when you were so "in love" with God. Are you surrounding yourself with believers that love God or are you spending more time with those who do not believe. Are you attending a church at least once a week that preaches the truth of God's Word and encourages you to study God's Word too? I will give you a simple piece of advice. If I never spend time with my husband and I seldom think of him, I will get used to living without him and I will fall out of love with him. However, if I make time for my relationship with my husband and plan times for us to spend together, if I look for ways to praise him and see the good in him, if I choose to think about him during the day, then I will look forward to spending time with him and I will long to be near him. Do you see how this is the same with God? We are in a relationship with him, but to have a good relationship takes work. Invest more time thinking and meditating on God. Read the Bible daily. Talk to Him. Think of all the things you have to thank Him for. Tell Him your burdens and then give Him your praise. The Bible says, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you..." James 4:8

About Me

I enjoying reading, writing, and spending time with my family and friends. I have been married to an ordained Assemblies of God pastor for twenty-three years. We have two adult children who are currently in college, involved in our ministry, and they keep our house lively with all their friends.